Exercise Intervention: A Pilot Study to Assess the Feasibility and Impact on Cancer-Related Fatigue and Quality of Life Among Patients With High-Grade Glioma

Background: Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is a challenging symptom, often compromising quality of life (QOL) and hindering physical activity among patients with cancer. Objectives: This 18-month pilot study assessed the feasibility to recruit and retain participants with high-grade glioma into a 10-week exercise intervention and evaluated the effects on CRF and QOL. Methods: Participants were enrolled into the usual care, education, or exercise group based on time of enrollment and radiation treatment location. Feasibility was determined by accrual and retention rates. Fatigue and QOL were assessed at weeks 0, 3, and 10. Descriptive statistics and percentage change were used for pre-/post-test differences. Findings: Exercise participants experienced less fatigue and improved QOL as compared to the usual care and education groups, suggesting that exercise favorably affects clinical outcomes and is feasible among patients with high-grade glioma.